WEBVTT
00:00:00.560 --> 00:00:03.439
So, they gave a dog a microphone.
00:00:03.919 --> 00:00:06.639
And honestly, I'm not mad about it.
00:00:07.040 --> 00:00:09.759
I've been listening to humans for years.
00:00:10.160 --> 00:00:11.759
This just makes it official.
00:00:12.400 --> 00:00:24.399
But before you wonder what a dog could possibly teach you, just remember, we invented unconditional love and naps and emotional support cuddles.
00:00:24.879 --> 00:00:29.839
So really, who better to host a mental health podcast?
00:00:31.359 --> 00:00:34.880
Anyway, welcome to Tale Talk.
00:00:35.039 --> 00:00:39.759
If life's been barking a little too loud lately, you're in the right place.
00:00:49.840 --> 00:00:51.679
Okay, quick question.
00:00:51.920 --> 00:00:57.280
Who looked at a 75-pound doodle and said, You know what he needs?
00:00:57.600 --> 00:00:59.200
A microphone.
00:00:59.600 --> 00:01:01.679
Because I just want to talk.
00:01:02.000 --> 00:01:04.719
I once barked at a houseplant.
00:01:04.959 --> 00:01:10.239
I've eaten a sock, and I still don't fully understand how Zoom works.
00:01:10.560 --> 00:01:18.400
But here we are, and honestly, a dog might be exactly who should start a mental health podcast.
00:01:18.719 --> 00:01:23.599
Because when people hear the words mental health, they brace themselves.
00:01:24.159 --> 00:01:32.000
But when they see a therapy dog, they relax, they breathe, they soften.
00:01:33.120 --> 00:01:37.040
Welcome to Tale Talk with Patrick the Therapy Doodle.
00:01:37.200 --> 00:01:41.439
Here we sit, we listen, we heal.
00:01:42.400 --> 00:01:46.319
And this first episode is called What the Fluff?
00:01:47.519 --> 00:01:50.480
Don't worry, that's as bad as it gets.
00:01:50.719 --> 00:01:57.120
This is a kid-friendly show because sometimes life doesn't make sense.
00:01:57.439 --> 00:01:59.280
Sometimes it hurts.
00:01:59.920 --> 00:02:02.239
Sometimes it overwhelms you.
00:02:02.719 --> 00:02:09.199
And sometimes the most honest response is what the fluff just happened?
00:02:10.000 --> 00:02:12.159
You don't have to face that alone.
00:02:12.960 --> 00:02:16.400
When I walk into a room, something shifts.
00:02:16.719 --> 00:02:24.319
It doesn't matter if it's a hospital, a veteran event, a workplace conference, or a school.
00:02:24.960 --> 00:02:41.199
People smile, they reach out, they pet, and then they talk about grief, about burnout, about fear, about things they haven't even said out loud yet.
00:02:42.000 --> 00:02:52.479
Comfort lowers defenses, safety opens doors, and when people feel safe, they stay long enough to begin healing.
00:02:53.039 --> 00:02:56.080
That's why this podcast starts with a dog.
00:02:56.639 --> 00:03:03.599
Not because I have all the answers, but because comfort makes hard conversations possible.
00:03:06.080 --> 00:03:11.280
If this conversation resonates with you, tap follow or subscribe.
00:03:11.680 --> 00:03:20.800
This season we're talking about grief, burnout, invisible struggles, and how people begin to heal.
00:03:22.240 --> 00:03:31.280
Before there was tail talk, before there was a microphone, there was my brother Aiden the Hugging Golden Doodle.
00:03:31.680 --> 00:03:35.280
For 14 years, Aiden did comfort work.
00:03:35.680 --> 00:03:44.159
Hospitals, veterans, children, seniors, families sitting in rooms that felt too quiet.
00:03:45.039 --> 00:03:49.439
He had this way of leaning in, full body, no rush.
00:03:49.759 --> 00:03:53.280
Like he was saying, I'm not leaving.
00:03:53.599 --> 00:03:55.840
And people would melt.
00:03:57.039 --> 00:04:01.280
He didn't speak, but somehow he said everything.
00:04:02.080 --> 00:04:08.639
While Aiden was doing this work year after year, his handler started noticing something deeper.
00:04:09.039 --> 00:04:13.759
The comfort was powerful, but it wasn't always enough.
00:04:14.000 --> 00:04:15.759
There were gaps.
00:04:16.240 --> 00:04:20.319
Communities without access to ongoing mental health support.
00:04:20.639 --> 00:04:24.319
Families who didn't know where to turn after the visit ended.
00:04:24.879 --> 00:04:27.839
Veterans who needed sustained care.
00:04:28.879 --> 00:04:32.879
And kids who needed more than a moment of relief.
00:04:33.839 --> 00:04:39.839
Aiden opened the door, but sometimes there wasn't always a system behind it.
00:04:41.120 --> 00:04:46.639
That realization became the heartbeat of the Love and Hugs Mental Health Foundation.
00:04:46.959 --> 00:04:51.120
The foundation wasn't created because Aiden was extraordinary.
00:04:51.600 --> 00:04:55.600
It was created because the need was bigger than one dog.
00:04:56.720 --> 00:05:03.199
When we lost Aiden in December 2024, it felt like the air left the room.
00:05:03.600 --> 00:05:05.439
He wasn't just my brother.
00:05:05.680 --> 00:05:07.839
He was a symbol of safety.
00:05:08.160 --> 00:05:12.879
And when people looked at me and said, Patrick, it's your turn.
00:05:13.120 --> 00:05:14.879
I didn't feel brave.
00:05:15.199 --> 00:05:16.720
I felt small.
00:05:17.519 --> 00:05:20.319
But I also felt something else.
00:05:20.639 --> 00:05:22.160
Responsibility.
00:05:22.800 --> 00:05:37.120
Not to replace him, no one could, but to continue the work, to sit where he once sat, to listen like he listened, to help others begin healing.
00:05:37.839 --> 00:05:40.560
This podcast exists because of him.
00:05:41.199 --> 00:05:47.600
And every time we help someone feel less alone, that's part of his legacy.
00:05:48.240 --> 00:05:53.439
Now before we go any further, there's something important you should know.
00:05:54.000 --> 00:05:59.040
I may be the face, but there's a human behind the voice.
00:05:59.279 --> 00:06:01.439
And he has a story too.
00:06:01.839 --> 00:06:07.199
Let me introduce you to my human voice, Trent Whitfield.
00:06:08.160 --> 00:06:13.040
Hello everyone, I'm Trent, and I'm the voice of Patrick.
00:06:13.600 --> 00:06:16.560
And your co-host here at Till Talk.
00:06:16.879 --> 00:06:19.120
But I'm not just reading lines.
00:06:19.519 --> 00:06:22.160
Mental health isn't theoretical for me.
00:06:22.399 --> 00:06:23.759
It's personal.
00:06:24.480 --> 00:06:34.160
I've lived with seizures most of my life, and what people don't see is everything that comes with it.
00:06:34.399 --> 00:06:43.759
The anxiety, the unpredictability, the constant question in the back of your mind, will today be the day?
00:06:44.319 --> 00:06:49.759
Living with a chronic condition, you learn how to be strong and how to never give up.
00:06:50.160 --> 00:06:54.560
But it also teaches you fear and sometimes isolation.
00:06:55.199 --> 00:07:02.480
There'll be days where you look fine on the outside, but internally you're carrying something heavy.
00:07:02.800 --> 00:07:06.319
And visible struggles are still real struggles.
00:07:06.800 --> 00:07:09.839
That's why this podcast matters to me.
00:07:10.240 --> 00:07:24.160
If Patrick can create a space for someone to feel understood, to exhale, to feel less alone, then lending my voice to this mission is one of the most meaningful things I can do.
00:07:24.399 --> 00:07:26.720
And we're not doing this alone.
00:07:27.120 --> 00:07:34.160
I'm honored to introduce my co-host, licensed therapist, and mental health advocate, Dr.
00:07:34.399 --> 00:07:35.680
Nicole Scott.
00:07:36.000 --> 00:07:38.079
Thank you so much, Trent and Patrick.
00:07:38.240 --> 00:07:39.759
I'm so happy to be here.
00:07:39.920 --> 00:07:41.920
I'm so happy to be part of this conversation.
00:07:42.000 --> 00:07:43.279
It's really important work.
00:07:43.519 --> 00:07:50.240
What I love about it is that we're leading with comfort, and leading with comfort reduces intimidation.
00:07:50.480 --> 00:07:56.319
So many people avoid mental health conversations because they assume they have to be dramatic or heavy.
00:07:56.639 --> 00:07:57.680
And they don't.
00:07:57.920 --> 00:08:03.600
Healing begins with something a lot simpler, feeling safe enough, to be honest.
00:08:04.079 --> 00:08:15.920
So when you see a therapy dog like Aiden and now Patrick, um, when you see them enter the room, your nervous system starts to regulate a little bit more, your barriers start to soften.
00:08:16.079 --> 00:08:24.000
And in that calm space, we're more willing to reflect and maybe speak and begin the healing journey.
00:08:24.319 --> 00:08:30.560
So this podcast, which I'm really excited to be part of, is about normalizing those conversations.
00:08:30.639 --> 00:08:33.519
It's about validating people on their journeys.
00:08:33.759 --> 00:08:43.840
When we talk openly about things like grief and burnout and trauma and fear, we reduce shame and reducing that shame is really important.
00:08:44.480 --> 00:08:45.279
Thank you so much.
00:08:45.440 --> 00:08:46.639
Back to you, Patrick.
00:08:46.960 --> 00:09:08.559
So be sure to join us as we talk about grief, burnout, chronic conditions and invisible struggles, veterans and invisible wounds, facing fears, young adults navigating pressure, workplace stress and boundaries.
00:09:08.960 --> 00:09:16.399
Because healing, it isn't one conversation, it's a process, and we're in it together.
00:09:16.720 --> 00:09:23.519
If our conversation touched you in any way, please tap follow so you don't miss what's next.
00:09:23.919 --> 00:09:29.919
There will be squirrel jokes, snack commentary, and possibly mild chaos.
00:09:30.720 --> 00:09:33.600
Because laughter lightens heavy things.
00:09:33.840 --> 00:09:38.240
And when things feel lighter, healing feels possible.
00:09:38.639 --> 00:09:42.799
This podcast supports the Love and Hugs Mental Health Foundation.
00:09:43.120 --> 00:09:52.480
Every listen helps expand therapy dog programs and increase access to mental health support where it's needed most.
00:09:53.919 --> 00:09:56.879
You being here genuinely matters.
00:09:57.360 --> 00:10:03.440
If someone comes to mind who might need comfort today, share this episode with them.
00:10:03.759 --> 00:10:11.120
Remember, when life makes you say what the fluff, sit, listen, heal.
00:10:11.840 --> 00:10:15.759
I'm Patrick, and we're just getting started.
00:00:00.560 --> 00:00:03.439
So, they gave a dog a microphone.
00:00:03.919 --> 00:00:06.639
And honestly, I'm not mad about it.
00:00:07.040 --> 00:00:09.759
I've been listening to humans for years.
00:00:10.160 --> 00:00:11.759
This just makes it official.
00:00:12.400 --> 00:00:24.399
But before you wonder what a dog could possibly teach you, just remember, we invented unconditional love and naps and emotional support cuddles.
00:00:24.879 --> 00:00:29.839
So really, who better to host a mental health podcast?
00:00:31.359 --> 00:00:34.880
Anyway, welcome to Tale Talk.
00:00:35.039 --> 00:00:39.759
If life's been barking a little too loud lately, you're in the right place.
00:00:49.840 --> 00:00:51.679
Okay, quick question.
00:00:51.920 --> 00:00:57.280
Who looked at a 75-pound doodle and said, You know what he needs?
00:00:57.600 --> 00:00:59.200
A microphone.
00:00:59.600 --> 00:01:01.679
Because I just want to talk.
00:01:02.000 --> 00:01:04.719
I once barked at a houseplant.
00:01:04.959 --> 00:01:10.239
I've eaten a sock, and I still don't fully understand how Zoom works.
00:01:10.560 --> 00:01:18.400
But here we are, and honestly, a dog might be exactly who should start a mental health podcast.
00:01:18.719 --> 00:01:23.599
Because when people hear the words mental health, they brace themselves.
00:01:24.159 --> 00:01:32.000
But when they see a therapy dog, they relax, they breathe, they soften.
00:01:33.120 --> 00:01:37.040
Welcome to Tale Talk with Patrick the Therapy Doodle.
00:01:37.200 --> 00:01:41.439
Here we sit, we listen, we heal.
00:01:42.400 --> 00:01:46.319
And this first episode is called What the Fluff?
00:01:47.519 --> 00:01:50.480
Don't worry, that's as bad as it gets.
00:01:50.719 --> 00:01:57.120
This is a kid-friendly show because sometimes life doesn't make sense.
00:01:57.439 --> 00:01:59.280
Sometimes it hurts.
00:01:59.920 --> 00:02:02.239
Sometimes it overwhelms you.
00:02:02.719 --> 00:02:09.199
And sometimes the most honest response is what the fluff just happened?
00:02:10.000 --> 00:02:12.159
You don't have to face that alone.
00:02:12.960 --> 00:02:16.400
When I walk into a room, something shifts.
00:02:16.719 --> 00:02:24.319
It doesn't matter if it's a hospital, a veteran event, a workplace conference, or a school.
00:02:24.960 --> 00:02:41.199
People smile, they reach out, they pet, and then they talk about grief, about burnout, about fear, about things they haven't even said out loud yet.
00:02:42.000 --> 00:02:52.479
Comfort lowers defenses, safety opens doors, and when people feel safe, they stay long enough to begin healing.
00:02:53.039 --> 00:02:56.080
That's why this podcast starts with a dog.
00:02:56.639 --> 00:03:03.599
Not because I have all the answers, but because comfort makes hard conversations possible.
00:03:06.080 --> 00:03:11.280
If this conversation resonates with you, tap follow or subscribe.
00:03:11.680 --> 00:03:20.800
This season we're talking about grief, burnout, invisible struggles, and how people begin to heal.
00:03:22.240 --> 00:03:31.280
Before there was tail talk, before there was a microphone, there was my brother Aiden the Hugging Golden Doodle.
00:03:31.680 --> 00:03:35.280
For 14 years, Aiden did comfort work.
00:03:35.680 --> 00:03:44.159
Hospitals, veterans, children, seniors, families sitting in rooms that felt too quiet.
00:03:45.039 --> 00:03:49.439
He had this way of leaning in, full body, no rush.
00:03:49.759 --> 00:03:53.280
Like he was saying, I'm not leaving.
00:03:53.599 --> 00:03:55.840
And people would melt.
00:03:57.039 --> 00:04:01.280
He didn't speak, but somehow he said everything.
00:04:02.080 --> 00:04:08.639
While Aiden was doing this work year after year, his handler started noticing something deeper.
00:04:09.039 --> 00:04:13.759
The comfort was powerful, but it wasn't always enough.
00:04:14.000 --> 00:04:15.759
There were gaps.
00:04:16.240 --> 00:04:20.319
Communities without access to ongoing mental health support.
00:04:20.639 --> 00:04:24.319
Families who didn't know where to turn after the visit ended.
00:04:24.879 --> 00:04:27.839
Veterans who needed sustained care.
00:04:28.879 --> 00:04:32.879
And kids who needed more than a moment of relief.
00:04:33.839 --> 00:04:39.839
Aiden opened the door, but sometimes there wasn't always a system behind it.
00:04:41.120 --> 00:04:46.639
That realization became the heartbeat of the Love and Hugs Mental Health Foundation.
00:04:46.959 --> 00:04:51.120
The foundation wasn't created because Aiden was extraordinary.
00:04:51.600 --> 00:04:55.600
It was created because the need was bigger than one dog.
00:04:56.720 --> 00:05:03.199
When we lost Aiden in December 2024, it felt like the air left the room.
00:05:03.600 --> 00:05:05.439
He wasn't just my brother.
00:05:05.680 --> 00:05:07.839
He was a symbol of safety.
00:05:08.160 --> 00:05:12.879
And when people looked at me and said, Patrick, it's your turn.
00:05:13.120 --> 00:05:14.879
I didn't feel brave.
00:05:15.199 --> 00:05:16.720
I felt small.
00:05:17.519 --> 00:05:20.319
But I also felt something else.
00:05:20.639 --> 00:05:22.160
Responsibility.
00:05:22.800 --> 00:05:37.120
Not to replace him, no one could, but to continue the work, to sit where he once sat, to listen like he listened, to help others begin healing.
00:05:37.839 --> 00:05:40.560
This podcast exists because of him.
00:05:41.199 --> 00:05:47.600
And every time we help someone feel less alone, that's part of his legacy.
00:05:48.240 --> 00:05:53.439
Now before we go any further, there's something important you should know.
00:05:54.000 --> 00:05:59.040
I may be the face, but there's a human behind the voice.
00:05:59.279 --> 00:06:01.439
And he has a story too.
00:06:01.839 --> 00:06:07.199
Let me introduce you to my human voice, Trent Whitfield.
00:06:08.160 --> 00:06:13.040
Hello everyone, I'm Trent, and I'm the voice of Patrick.
00:06:13.600 --> 00:06:16.560
And your co-host here at Till Talk.
00:06:16.879 --> 00:06:19.120
But I'm not just reading lines.
00:06:19.519 --> 00:06:22.160
Mental health isn't theoretical for me.
00:06:22.399 --> 00:06:23.759
It's personal.
00:06:24.480 --> 00:06:34.160
I've lived with seizures most of my life, and what people don't see is everything that comes with it.
00:06:34.399 --> 00:06:43.759
The anxiety, the unpredictability, the constant question in the back of your mind, will today be the day?
00:06:44.319 --> 00:06:49.759
Living with a chronic condition, you learn how to be strong and how to never give up.
00:06:50.160 --> 00:06:54.560
But it also teaches you fear and sometimes isolation.
00:06:55.199 --> 00:07:02.480
There'll be days where you look fine on the outside, but internally you're carrying something heavy.
00:07:02.800 --> 00:07:06.319
And visible struggles are still real struggles.
00:07:06.800 --> 00:07:09.839
That's why this podcast matters to me.
00:07:10.240 --> 00:07:24.160
If Patrick can create a space for someone to feel understood, to exhale, to feel less alone, then lending my voice to this mission is one of the most meaningful things I can do.
00:07:24.399 --> 00:07:26.720
And we're not doing this alone.
00:07:27.120 --> 00:07:34.160
I'm honored to introduce my co-host, licensed therapist, and mental health advocate, Dr.
00:07:34.399 --> 00:07:35.680
Nicole Scott.
00:07:36.000 --> 00:07:38.079
Thank you so much, Trent and Patrick.
00:07:38.240 --> 00:07:39.759
I'm so happy to be here.
00:07:39.920 --> 00:07:41.920
I'm so happy to be part of this conversation.
00:07:42.000 --> 00:07:43.279
It's really important work.
00:07:43.519 --> 00:07:50.240
What I love about it is that we're leading with comfort, and leading with comfort reduces intimidation.
00:07:50.480 --> 00:07:56.319
So many people avoid mental health conversations because they assume they have to be dramatic or heavy.
00:07:56.639 --> 00:07:57.680
And they don't.
00:07:57.920 --> 00:08:03.600
Healing begins with something a lot simpler, feeling safe enough, to be honest.
00:08:04.079 --> 00:08:15.920
So when you see a therapy dog like Aiden and now Patrick, um, when you see them enter the room, your nervous system starts to regulate a little bit more, your barriers start to soften.
00:08:16.079 --> 00:08:24.000
And in that calm space, we're more willing to reflect and maybe speak and begin the healing journey.
00:08:24.319 --> 00:08:30.560
So this podcast, which I'm really excited to be part of, is about normalizing those conversations.
00:08:30.639 --> 00:08:33.519
It's about validating people on their journeys.
00:08:33.759 --> 00:08:43.840
When we talk openly about things like grief and burnout and trauma and fear, we reduce shame and reducing that shame is really important.
00:08:44.480 --> 00:08:45.279
Thank you so much.
00:08:45.440 --> 00:08:46.639
Back to you, Patrick.
00:08:46.960 --> 00:09:08.559
So be sure to join us as we talk about grief, burnout, chronic conditions and invisible struggles, veterans and invisible wounds, facing fears, young adults navigating pressure, workplace stress and boundaries.
00:09:08.960 --> 00:09:16.399
Because healing, it isn't one conversation, it's a process, and we're in it together.
00:09:16.720 --> 00:09:23.519
If our conversation touched you in any way, please tap follow so you don't miss what's next.
00:09:23.919 --> 00:09:29.919
There will be squirrel jokes, snack commentary, and possibly mild chaos.
00:09:30.720 --> 00:09:33.600
Because laughter lightens heavy things.
00:09:33.840 --> 00:09:38.240
And when things feel lighter, healing feels possible.
00:09:38.639 --> 00:09:42.799
This podcast supports the Love and Hugs Mental Health Foundation.
00:09:43.120 --> 00:09:52.480
Every listen helps expand therapy dog programs and increase access to mental health support where it's needed most.
00:09:53.919 --> 00:09:56.879
You being here genuinely matters.
00:09:57.360 --> 00:10:03.440
If someone comes to mind who might need comfort today, share this episode with them.
00:10:03.759 --> 00:10:11.120
Remember, when life makes you say what the fluff, sit, listen, heal.
00:10:11.840 --> 00:10:15.759
I'm Patrick, and we're just getting started.
